Manual handling injuries, especially lower back pain, are common across various industries, affecting up to 80% of the population at some point. These injuries are often caused by improper lifting techniques, repetitively lifting, or underestimating the weight of a load. Whether at home or in the workplace, following correct manual handling techniques is crucial to preventing injuries. Below, we explore employer and employee duties, risk assessments, and effective ways to avoid manual handling injuries.
Manual Handling at Work: Employer and Employee Duties
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended) place significant responsibility on employers to protect workers from manual handling injuries. Employers must avoid tasks involving hazardous manual handling where possible, and if unavoidable, conduct manual handling risk assessments to reduce the likelihood of injury.
Employer duties include:
- Avoiding manual handling tasks that pose a risk of injury, where practicable.
- Providing equipment such as hoists, trolleys, or conveyor belts to minimise the need for manual handling.
- Conducting risk assessments to identify potential hazards and putting appropriate measures in place to reduce risk.
- Offering proper training to employees on how to safely perform manual handling tasks and use any provided equipment.
Employers should ensure that every task, load, and environment is assessed, especially where repetitive or heavy lifting is required. In high-risk industries like farming, construction, or warehouses, the employer's role in ensuring safety is critical.
Manual Handling Risk Assessments
Risk assessments are a cornerstone of workplace safety under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1998. Employers must assess the risks associated with manual handling tasks and implement strategies to minimise them. This includes:
- Evaluating the size, weight, and shape of the load.
- Identifying potential risks in the environment, such as uneven floors, slippery surfaces, or poor lighting.
- Considering the health and physical condition of the worker, including pregnancy, previous injuries, or disabilities.
- Providing mechanical aids where appropriate, such as lift trucks, pallet jacks, or conveyor systems.
Employers must also ensure risk assessments are specific to the task at hand and not rely on generic assessments that don't account for individual factors like varying employee heights or abilities. Workers with disabilities must have separate risk assessments under the Disability Discrimination Act, ensuring their safety is accounted for in all manual handling tasks.
Employee Responsibilities in Manual Handling
While employers carry the primary responsibility, employees also have manual handling duties to protect their own health and safety. These include:
- Following the systems of work provided by the employer. If a task requires two people to lift a load, employees should not attempt it alone.
- Using the equipment provided, such as hoists or trolleys, even if it takes more time to complete the task.
- Reporting unsafe practices or conditions, such as broken equipment or hazardous environments.
- Taking care not to put others at risk during manual handling activities.
Failure to follow these safety procedures may result in partial liability if an injury occurs, potentially reducing any compensation claim. However, even if partial fault is assigned, employees may still be able to pursue a compensation claim if their employer failed to provide adequate training, assistance, or equipment.
Manual Handling on Farms
In the farming sector, manual handling injuries are common, with 80% of workers experiencing back, neck, or limb disorders. These injuries are often caused by poor manual handling practices and can be exacerbated by repetitive tasks. Manual handling on farms presents unique challenges, such as handling unstable loads, heavy equipment, and working in harsh environmental conditions.
Farmworkers should be trained to recognise the risks involved in tasks such as lifting bales, moving equipment, or carrying heavy tools. Risk assessments should focus on preventing injuries caused by:
- Carrying loads over long distances.
- Moving heavy or awkward items without assistance.
- Performing tasks in unsafe conditions, such as on uneven or slippery surfaces.
Providing handling aids, like trolleys or motorised lifting devices, can help reduce the risk of injury. Proper training on how to avoid lifting injuries through safe techniques is essential for farmworkers to maintain their health.
Ways to Avoid Lifting Injuries: Practical Advice
Avoiding manual handling injuries requires a combination of proper technique, risk awareness, and the use of equipment. Below are ways to avoid lifting injury:
- Assess the Load: Before lifting, always test the weight by tipping the object slightly. Ensure the object isn't heavier than expected and determine if assistance or equipment is needed.
- Use Equipment: Whenever possible, use mechanical aids like trolleys, hoists, or conveyor belts to avoid unnecessary strain.
- Plan the Lift: Stop and think about how to lift safely. Clear any obstructions and ensure the path is safe.
- Get a Secure Grip: Ensure the load is secure and that you're gripping it firmly, preferably with handles.
- Use Proper Posture: Keep the load close to your body, between shoulder and waist height, and lift with your legs, not your back. Avoid bending forward or twisting your body while lifting.
- Keep Movements Smooth: Avoid jerking motions, and lift or lower the load smoothly.
- Ask for Help: If the load is too heavy or awkward, always ask for assistance from a colleague or use team lifting techniques.
- Avoid Overreaching: Never extend your arms to lift or lower a load, as this puts strain on your back and shoulders.
- Take Breaks: If you're required to move objects over long distances or for extended periods, plan rest breaks to avoid fatigue.
These tips are particularly important in high-risk environments such as farms, factories, or warehouses, where improper lifting techniques can lead to long-term injuries.
Legal Considerations: Manual Handling Injury Claims
If you've suffered an injury due to a manual handling task at work, you may be entitled to claim compensation, particularly if your employer failed to meet their manual handling employer duties. Injuries could arise from a lack of training, being asked to perform tasks in unsafe conditions, or pressure to complete tasks under unrealistic time frames.
Even if you’ve received training, you may still have grounds for a compensation claim if the equipment or methods provided were inadequate or unsafe. Thompsons Solicitors specialise in workplace injury claims and can help determine if you have a valid case.
Contact Thompsons for Legal Advice
At Thompsons Solicitors, we are committed to helping workers who have been injured due to manual handling at work. Our team of experienced personal injury lawyers can guide you through the process of making a claim and help secure the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one has suffered a manual handling injury, contact us today for free legal advice today.
